You just keep on smiling Bryan Bickell! You OT GWG scorer you! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

This game was looking a lot like it was the Phoenix Coyotes for the taking,  once again as the seconds ticked down with the Blackhawks having little going for them. That was of course until Brent Seabrook again played last second messiah, as Patrick Sharp managed to a tip Seabrook’s shot in to send it to overtime for a second straight game. Since 14 seconds was too easy, the Blackhawks waited until just 5.5 seconds were left to tie it up.

Apparently the Blackhawks have decided to make sure all their hearts were healthy enough to withstand stopping and restarting this postseason.

The start of overtime looked as if the Blackhawks finally had a fire under them until the Coyotes managed a strong counterattack the next few minutes. After multiple run and gun efforts from both sides the Blackhawks managed to pin the Coyotes in their own zone. As the extended shift ended and every Blackhawk and Coyote used the last of their energy to will themselves back to the bench, the Coyotes would commit a devastating error.

A lazy clear attempt around the boards from former Blackhawk Adrian Aucoin was kept in by Viktor Stalberg who quickly passed it off to Bryan Bickell who was all alone with only Mike Smith in his way. A flick of the wrist later and the Coyotes had lost home ice and the series was tied.

» Continue reading “Cooldown: Holding Out for a(n unlikely) Hero”